120+ more){kind=small}
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
){kind=small}
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
){kind=small}
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Updated
The average cost of car insurance in Washington increased by 3% in the first half of 2026, according to Insurify data.
Traffic fatalities fell in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of decline.
Federal Way, Auburn, and Tacoma are a few of the most expensive cities in Washington for car insurance.
Washington has several unique factors that affect what you’ll pay for car insurance, including the state’s traffic fatalities, vehicle repair costs, and severe weather risks.
Below, you can take a look at some of the most common factors for car insurance costs and how they affect your rates in Washington.
Washington has wet winters, which can be a major risk to vehicles. In 2025, an atmospheric river event caused widespread flooding and wind damage.[1] A policy that includes comprehensive coverage can cover damage from these weather events.
It may make sense to have a policy with more than Washington’s state-minimum coverage to pay to repair your vehicle after collisions and other incidents.
Car insurance rates in Washington increased in 2023 by nearly 25%, driven in part by a 10-year high in traffic fatalities and a high percentage of uninsured drivers.[2] These statistics play a major role in how insurers determine the risk of insuring a driver in a given location.
If a driver’s likelihood of having an at-fault accident or hitting an uninsured driver is higher than average, then premiums will often also increase.
Washington is among the most expensive states in the country for vehicle repairs, largely due to labor costs. Additionally, federal tariffs on imported automotive components have increased costs for mechanics and repair shops throughout the U.S., which may pass those costs on to you, the driver. These tariffs will likely continue to increase vehicle repair expenses unless lifted.
Like most states, Washington allows insurance companies to factor in your credit history when determining your rates.[3] Improving your credit history can potentially help you earn lower car insurance rates over time.
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner attempted to ban the use of credit history in determining insurance premiums in 2021, but it was overturned in 2022 and officially repealed in 2023.[4]
Liability quotes start at $58/mo.
Over the past five years, car insurance costs in Washington have fluctuated quite a bit. In 2021, rates actually decreased over the course of the year, likely due to reduced traffic from COVID-19 lockdowns and remote work. Rates stayed mostly steady throughout 2022, rising only slightly, before increasing drastically by nearly 25% in 2023.
Rate increases slowed again during 2024 and 2025, rising only slightly over 10% during those two years. Average premiums in Washington have continued to slowly creep up, increasing by 3% during the first half of 2026, according to Insurify data.
Check out the graph below to see how rates have increased in Washington in the last five years.
State Name | 2021-09 | 2021-10 | 2021-11 | 2021-12 | 2022-01 | 2022-02 | 2022-03 | 2022-04 | 2022-05 | 2022-06 | 2022-07 | 2022-08 | 2022-09 | 2022-10 | 2022-11 | 2022-12 | 2023-01 | 2023-02 | 2023-03 | 2023-04 | 2023-05 | 2023-06 | 2023-07 | 2023-08 | 2023-09 | 2023-10 | 2023-11 | 2023-12 | 2024-01 | 2024-02 | 2024-03 | 2024-04 | 2024-05 | 2024-06 | 2024-07 | 2024-08 | 2024-09 | 2024-10 | 2024-11 | 2024-12 | 2025-01 | 2025-02 | 2025-03 | 2025-04 | 2025-05 | 2025-06 | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 | 2026-07 | 2026-08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,557 | 1,561 | 1,564 | 1,566 | 1,568 | 1,571 | 1,577 | 1,591 | 1,602 | 1,607 | 1,612 | 1,617 | 1,623 | 1,631 | 1,639 | 1,650 | 1,665 | 1,689 | 1,719 | 1,758 | 1,803 | 1,850 | 1,888 | 1,919 | 1,956 | 1,983 | 2,006 | 2,037 | 2,076 | 2,127 | 2,194 | 2,238 | 2,299 | 2,341 | 2,368 | 2,390 | 2,387 | 2,374 | 2,370 | 2,361 | 2,351 | 2,367 | 2,368 | 2,367 | 2,356 | 2,342 | 2,318 | 2,285 | 2,258 | 2,228 | 2,215 | 2,221 | 2,222 | 2,224 | 2,233 | 2,238 | 2,237 | 2,238 | 2,239 | 2,241 |
| Washington | 1,513 | 1,516 | 1,509 | 1,509 | 1,510 | 1,512 | 1,514 | 1,516 | 1,518 | 1,519 | 1,511 | 1,513 | 1,517 | 1,525 | 1,526 | 1,528 | 1,542 | 1,587 | 1,611 | 1,660 | 1,701 | 1,762 | 1,832 | 1,852 | 1,866 | 1,897 | 1,936 | 1,927 | 1,920 | 1,886 | 1,898 | 1,909 | 1,917 | 1,932 | 1,956 | 1,985 | 2,005 | 2,035 | 2,058 | 2,067 | 2,080 | 2,102 | 2,128 | 2,138 | 2,138 | 2,129 | 2,142 | 2,125 | 2,104 | 2,106 | 2,122 | 2,132 | 2,147 | 2,162 | 2,174 | 2,186 | 2,193 | 2,194 | 2,198 | 2,199 |
Where you live in Washington affects your rate significantly, as each area has its own risk factors, such as local traffic density, accident rates, and the likelihood of theft or vandalism. Cities in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area often have the highest car insurance costs due to heavier traffic and higher accident rates.
Smaller cities and towns, like Spokane and Bellingham, often have lower rates, thanks to fewer drivers and thus a lower risk of accidents.
Check out the table below to see average monthly rates for the five most expensive cities for car insurance in Washington.
Here are some of the factors that influence costs in Washington’s most expensive cities for car insurance:
Federal Way sits between Seattle and Tacoma along Interstate 5, which has very heavy traffic and a higher risk of accidents.
State Routes 167, 18, and 164 converge in Auburn, so drivers in the city can also experience heavy commuter and freight traffic.
Tacoma is a busy port city and a dense urban area, which can increase the risk of vehicle theft and the likelihood of car accidents.
Bellevue and Seattle both have high population densities, which increases traffic congestion and the likelihood of claims.
Insurify partners with 120+ auto insurers for real quotes
You can affect your car insurance rates more than you may think. Here are a few ways you can try to lower your car insurance rates in Washington:
Compare car insurance quotes. Comparing rates from multiple insurers is one of the best ways to lower your rates, as insurers in Washington weigh risk factors differently and set rates accordingly.
Apply for discounts. Ask your insurance company about which discounts you may qualify for. Many insurers offer numerous discounts, including usage-based, low-mileage, and bundling discounts. For example, GEICO offers 15 discounts, including savings for teen drivers with good grades.
Opt for liability-only coverage. If you have an older vehicle, you may want to consider purchasing a policy with Washington’s minimum 25/50/10 liability coverage.[5] Even if you opt for a policy with higher bodily injury liability and property damage liability limits and no vehicle protection, you can save money on your monthly premium.
Increase your deductible. Raising your deductible will immediately lower your average annual premium. Just make sure you can afford your new deductible.
Improve your credit. Washington allows insurance companies to use your credit history when setting rates. Paying bills on time and paying down debt can help keep your credit score high, which can help keep your rates low.
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance in Washington.
No. Washington isn’t the most expensive state to own a car. The average cost of car insurance in Washington is $95 per month for liability coverage and $183 for full coverage. This is a bit less than the national average cost of auto coverage.
Bellingham has the least expensive auto insurance premiums in Washington, with an average rate of $73 for liability coverage and $129 for full-coverage car insurance. Kennewick, Longview, and Spokane also have affordable average rates in Washington. How much you pay for coverage also depends on your driving history, including any speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs.
Washington currently allows insurers to consider your credit-based insurance score, along with other factors, to help set your car insurance rates. That said, insurers in the state can’t use your credit history to deny you coverage.
State Farm, Direct Auto, GEICO, Allstate, and USAA are among the best car insurance companies in Washington, according to Insurify research. Washington drivers have plenty of great insurance options to choose from, but the best company for you will depend on factors like your driving record, vehicle, and budget.
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
